Page 60 of A Bolt of Magic

“How long has she been having pains?” she demands.

“Orion says she’s had mild pains since last night, but they are close together now. There is no doubt…the baby is coming.”

Thesha curses.

Damon drops his seed sack without a second thought, already moving to help free the horses from their harness. “We’d better move, then.”

Within minutes, they’ve stripped the plow away. Xander swings up behind Thesha on one of the draft horses while Damon mounts the other. They’re bareback, but it doesn’t seem to worry them. Without another word, we’re racing back toward the homestead, the powerful draft horses going faster than their design should allow.

We thunder into the yard in a cloud of dust, the horses barely coming to a stop before everyone is leaping down. Thesha, Xander, and Damon rush toward the barn while I dismount more slowly, catching the reins of their spent mounts.

The horses are lathered with sweat and breathing hard from the fast-paced ride. Someone needs to tend to them; right now, that someone is me. I lead all three animals toward the water trough, letting them drink while I untack them.

I’m just finishing when Xander reappears, his face grim. He is leading two fresh horses from the pasture, already moving with purpose toward the cart that sits beside the barn.

“How far is it into town?” I ask.

“It’s—” Before he can finish, Orion and Damon walk from the barn; they’re talking softly.

“Please hurry, Xander.” Orion looks pale. His features are drawn.

“I will.” He gives a curt nod; his voice is clipped. “Thesha has seen several babies born while living her nomadic lifestyle. Maya is in good hands.” He tries to hide it, but I can see the worry beneath his controlled exterior.

“My wife’s pains are coming more frequently. They’re getting stronger.” He starts pacing. “I don’t know what to do. I wish I could help her.” He runs a hand through his already disheveled hair. “I’m useless. They sent me away. Apparently, I’m making Maya anxious.”

Damon puts an arm around Orion. “Come with me, my friend. Let’s go wait in the cabin. All will be well.” They start to walk away.

Damon gives a concerned look over his shoulder, his eyes locking with Xander’s, who nods once.

“Can I help with anything?” I ask him.

“Everything is under control. Take care of the horses.” He nods in the direction of the draught horses. Working quickly, he hitches the horses to the cart.

“Do you need me to go with you?” The last thing I want is to leave, but I want to make myself useful.

“Stay here. Fill Kian in when he gets back…from wherever the hell it is he went to. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I nod, stepping back as he swings up onto the driver’s seat. “Be safe,” I tell him.

He gives me a curt nod and snaps the reins, the cart lurching into motion as the horses leap forward, disappearing down the path in a cloud of dust.

I take the horses to the field and let them go. Then I make my way to the barn, where the main doors stand open. There are tense voices coming from within. I approach quietly, not wanting to intrude but desperate to help somehow.

Through the open doorway, I see Maya on the bed, her face flushed and damp with perspiration. Kyrie kneels beside her, holding her hand, while Thesha bustles around, gathering supplies. Maya’s back arches as a contraction grips her. She lets out a low moan that makes my insides twist. She sounds like she is in terrible pain.

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I ask from the doorway.

Thesha whirls around, her dark eyes flashing. “We don’t need your kind of help here, witch. We have everything under control. Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time. Maya is strong and capable. You can go. Now!”

The words sting, but I keep my voice steady. “I have some experience with healing magic.” I have never healed anyone in my life. I’ve never had sufficient power. I may not have now, but I have studied the subject extensively. I might be able to help. I hope I can. If Thesha would only let me. “I might be able to help with the pain. To—”

“I said leave.” Thesha’s voice is sharp as a blade. “We have everything under control.”

Kyrie shoots me an apologetic look. “I’m sure you saw Damon and Orion. They should be in the cabin. Perhaps you can go there. Make food for them.”

“I doubt they would eat.”

“You could be the go-between and give them frequent updates,” Kyrie says, lifting her brows.

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